Arsenal injury crisis: Left-back Nacho Monreal set to fill in at centre-back for Hull fixture

Nacho Monreal could be forced to start at centre-back for Arsenal in their Premier League match against Hull City on Saturday, with Laurent Koscielny struggling to be fit for the fixture because of his Achilles tendon injury.

The Gunners are in the midst of an injury crisis, with 10 players currently sidelined. Alongside defender Koscielny, midfielders Mesut Ozil and Tomas Rosicky both had to withdraw from international duty over the past fortnight because of injury.

The Spaniard Monreal had playedas a centre-back during pre-season, but admitted then that he found it "a little bit strange" playing in that position.

Wenger had said of the versatile Monreal: "He can do well there because he is intelligent, because he has a good sense of interception, because he reads the game well and is a good passer."

Arsenal's injury list

Arsenal's injury list

1/5
Mikel Arteta (midfield)

Like Diaby, the Spaniard is closing in on a return but the Swansea match will come to soon. The club captain last played in November.

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2/5
Mathieu Debuchy (defender)

Returned in the FA Cup semi-final win over Reading but has since been ruled out with injury and Wenger confirmed he remains 'unavailable'.

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3/5
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (midfield)

Suffered a hamstring injury against Manchester United in the FA Cup and hasn't played since as it has exacerbated a groin problem. Out at least until May and facing surgery in the summer.

4/5
Aaron Ramsey (midfield)

Aaron Ramsey caught a kick on his calf during the win over Hull and was later substituted. The Welshman was rated 50/50 for the Swansea match by Wenger, but it now appears that he is a major doubt for the clash at the Emirates.

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5/5
Danny Welbeck (forward)

Danny Welbeck has not played since the goalless draw with Chelsea towards the end of April after suffering a knee injury. Wenger has confirmed that the injury is 'nothing major', and that he should return to full fitness before the end of the season.